A former soldier who knifed his friend so badly his innards were hanging out changed his plea to guilty after hearing a 999 call recording of himself saying to the injured man “My God, I’ve stabbed you mate!”

Anthony Nugent had denied causing the devastating injuries to his pal Neil Johnson when he plunged a blade into him after the pair had been on an all-day drinking session.

He was due to go on trial today, but changed his plea from not guilty after the prosecution produced his 999 call.

It revealed that before the operator spoke to him - before he knew the call had been connected - he had said: “My God, I’ve stabbed you mate.”

But when questioned by police, he told them that when victim Mr Johnson had arrived at his home in Nant Eos, Holywell , on June 1 he was already injured.

Police found a knife covered in blood in a kitchen drawer. The 20 centimetre blade had been pushed into Mr Johnson right up to the hilt, and his bowel was sticking out of the wound.

Defending barrister Sion ap Mihangel said that his client recognised he was lucky he wasn’t facing a more serious charge.

He was not an alcoholic but had been drinking too much as a crutch for his depression following the death of his mother, whom he found dead.

On remand the defendant had time to reflect on his life, he had lost a considerable amount of weight, he was in an enhanced prison and was taking advantage of the many courses available to him in custody.

He had previously served in the army and had also obtained agricultural qualifications at LLysfasi College.